Signal light for a range



1956 R. K. SHAW 2,735,924

SIGNAL LIGHT FOR A RANGE Filed May 15, 1952 lam 2.5 Oufer f/mer 5 frzuerzl or 35 fizj card E 5/02 10 W m wm SIGNAL LIGHT FUR A RANGE Richard K. Shaw, Efingham, Ill., assignor to Borg-Warner Corporation, Chicago, 11L, a corporation of llhnois Application May 15, 1952, Serial No. 288,601

1 Claim. (Cl. 219=--37) This invention relates in general to ranges and is particularly concerned with a signal light therefor operable to visually indicate energization of an associated burner.

Otherwise stated, the invention is concerned with a signal light system and control therefor, and has for its principal object and accomplishment the provision of an electric range com nising an electric circuit, a two circuit heating element in said electric circuit, manually operable switch means in said electrical circuit for controlling energization of one or the other or both of said circuits of said heating element, and visual illuminated means controlled by said manually operable switch means for indicating energization of one or the other or both of said circuits of said heating element.

More specifically, the invention contemplates the provision of a visual signal light assembly which may be associated with and inter-connected to a range burner, said signal light system and said range burner being controlled by a manually operable switch means so that energization of said burner will be visually indicated by said signal light assembly.

To this end, the invention seeks to provide an electric range having an electric circuit, a two circuit heating element in said electric circuit, visual means including a transparent element having transcribed thereupon diagrammatic facsimile of said two circuit heating element and illuminating means associated with said transparent element for individually or collectively illuminating the iagrammatic facsimile of said transparent element, and manually operable switch means in said circuit simultaneously controlling energization of one or the other or both of said circuits of said heating element and controlling the energization of said illuminating means for visual indication of energization of one or the other or both of said circuits of said heating element.

' It is an important object and accomplishment of the invention to provide a new and improved visual burner energization indicating means for an electric range and which is adapted to be economically manufactured and which is so designed as to permit the manufacture and assembly thereof in accordance with present day large scale mass production manufacturing methods of construction and assembly.

The invention seeks, as a final object and accomplishment, to provide a visual burner energization indicating means of the character indicated to more advantageously and satisfactorily perform the functions required of it and adapted to provide a compact unit which will successfully combine the factors of structural simplicity and durability, and yet be economical to manufacture.

Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention disclosed herein will be apparent to persons skilled in the art after the construction and operation are understood from the within description. It is preferred to accomplish the various objects of this invention and to practice the same in substantially the manner as States Patent 2,735,924 Patented Feb. 21, 1956 hereinafter more fully described, and as more pointed out in the appended claim.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof and wherein:

Fig. l is a fragmentary perspective view of an electric range having incorporated therein the burner energization signal light assembly embodying the features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the casing forming a part of the signal light assembly and with front panel plates removed therefrom so as to more clearly illustrate the internal construction thereof, this view being taken substantially on the plane of the line 22 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the signal light assembly depicted in Figs. 1 and 2 and being taken substantially on the plane of the line 33 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the bezel, lens and washer forming an important component part of the signal light assembly;

Pig. 5 is a front elevational view illustrating the diagrammatic facsimile of the two circuit heating element inscribed upon the lens, this view also illustrating the parts of the signal light assembly which are viewed by the user; and

Fig. 6 diagrammatically illustrates a wiring diagram which may be employed with the signal light assembly contemplated herein.

The drawings are to be understood to be more or less of a schematic character for the purpose of illustrating and disclosing a typical or preferred form of the improvements contemplated herein and in the drawings like reference characters identify the same parts in the several views.

Referring to the drawing, particularly Fig. 1, there are illustrated diagrammatically portions of an electric range designated in its entirety by the letter A and which may comprise a cabinet 2:) having a front wall 21, a side wall 22, a table top surface 23 and an upright back wall 24. Disposed on the table top surface 23 are electric surface burners as at 30 and 31, each of these surface burners being of the two circuit type. Switch means 32 and disposed on the front surface 21 are provided to control ener ization of one or the other or both of the circuits of said surface burners.

Particular attention is directed to the location of the signal light assembly indicated in its entirely by the numeral as being disposed for convenient visual review on the upright backboard surface 24 of the range cabinet The invention is particularly concerned with the signal light assembly to be hereinafter described in detail, and which may include illuminated elements controlled by a related switch means as at 32 responsive to manual operation thereof for visually indicating encrgization of one or the other or both of the circuits of an associated surface burner.

Suffice it to say, since the invention is not particularly concerned with the precise construction of the range A as diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 1, and/or its associated parts, they will not be further described in detail, and it is deemed suihcient for all intentions and purposes herein contained to show only portions thereof adjacent to and cooperating with the signal light assembly 4-0 with which the invention is particularly concerned.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, attention is invited to the premises that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings since the invention obviously is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various Ways. Moreover, the details of construction of said range A including the surface burners 30 and 31 and particularly the particular construction of the manually operable switch means 32'and 33, and/or their associated parts, may be modified to suit particular conditions or to satisfy the engineering genius ofvarious competitive manufacturers, and I do not wish to be limited to the construction of these elements as set forth except where such construction particularly concerns the invention contemplated herein. Furthermore, the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention claimed herein beyond the requirement of the prior art.

Having thus described, by way of example, a possible adaptation of the signal light assembly it) and the general environment surrounding said adaptation, the specific details of construction and cooperating functions of the various parts of'the'signal light assembly with which the present invention is particularly concerned will now be described in detail.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is depicted in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6 wherein there is illustrated the electric range A comprising the table top surface 23 with the upstanding backboard 24, an electric circuit 34 for the range A, a heating element 3% comprising two circuits and 36, said heating element 33 being disposed on said table top surface 23 and in said electric circuit 34, manually operable switch means 32 in said electric circuit 34 for controlling energization of one or the other or both of said circuits 35 and 36 of said heating element 33, and visual illuminated means 4t! disposed on the backboard 24 and controlled by said manually operable switch means 32 for indicating energization of one or the other or both of said circuits 35 and 36 of said heating element 30.

The visual illuminated means it? may comprise, in general, a housing 41, a transparent element defining a lens 42 and carried by the housing 41 and having inscribed thereupon diagrammatic facsimiles 43 and 4-4 respectively of said two circuits 35 and 36 of said heating element 3%, said housing 41 being divided to define chambers 45 and 46 respectively related to each of said diagrammatic facsimiles 43 and 44, illuminable means 47 and 48 respectively disposed in chambers 45 and 46 and individually controlled by the manually operable switch means 32 to illuminate said diagrammatic facsimiles 43 and 44 individually or collectively to respectively indicate energization of one or the other or both of said circuits 35 and 36 of said heating element 30.

It is obvious that the manually operable control means 33 and the associated heating element 31 including the visual indicating illuminated means a is substantially of the same construction heretofore described with respect to the manually operable control means 32 having associated therewith the heating element 30 and the visual indicating illuminated means 40. Moreover, it is also obvious that the relative position of the control means 32 and 33 and the relative position of the visual illuminated means 40 and 40a is optional and is shown in the drawings as one example of relative association of these parts.

reases arrangement provides for negative and positive lines 54 and 57 for proper contact arrangement with the illuminasociation with the illuminable means 48, these brackets Attention is invited to Figs. 2 and 3 wherein there is illustrated in section and in elevation the relative disposition of the parts within the housing 41 which is divided into chambers 45 and 46 as shown in order to isolate the illuminable means 47 and 43 respectively disposed in these chambers.

The illuminable means 47, for example, is disposed in chamber 45 and carried by a bent bracket 50 suitably secured to the removable back panel 51 and has bent struck-out portions 52 adapted to receive the threaded end portions 53 of the illuminable means 47. One line 54 of the electric circuit generally indicated by the numeral 34 is suitably secured to portions of the bracket 50 as shown in Fig. 2. The end portions 55 of the illuminable means 47 is in intimate contact with portions of a bent bracket 56 which is also suitably secured to the removable back'panel 51 and is arranged with a line 57 also forming apart of the electric circuit 34. Thus, this having respectively secured thereto electric lines 62 and 63 also forming a part of the electrical circuit 34.

For a general diagramrnatical arrangement of an exemplary form of wiring arrangement, attention is invited to Fig. 6 wherein the Wiring diagram 34 is clearly illustrated as being interconnected with the heating element 39 which comprises two circuits 35 and 36 interconnected electrically with the visual illuminated means 4-4 comprising illuminable means 47 and 48, and the two circuits 35 and 36 of the heating element 3tl'and the illuminable means 47 and 48 of the visual illuminated means it) being simultaneously under control of the manually operable switch means 32. Thus, the operation of the manually operable switch means 32 for a selective circuit will control the electric circuit 34 in a manner so that when the circuit 35 is energized the illuminable means 47 will also be energized thereby to indicate visually the energization of circuit 35 of the heating element 39. In like manner, if the operator should select, by rotation of the switch 32, to energize the circuit as then the manually operable switch 32 will condition the circuit so that the illuminable means 48 will become simultaneously energized thereby to indicate visually the energization of the circuit 36 of the heating element 34). If the operator should select energization of both circuits 35 and 36 of the heating element 39 then both illuminable means 47 and 48 will be energized to indicate energization of both circuits 35 and 36 of the heating element 34 Particular attention is invited to the construction of the lens 42 which has inscribed thereupon a diagrammatic facsimile 43 and 44 respectively indicating circuits 35 and 36 of the heating element 3%. The inscribed portions 43 and 44 are transparent permitting light emanating from the illuminable means 47 and 48 to pass therethrough. The remainder of the lens 42 may be suitably painted or otherwise coated in an effort to make these portions opaque.

T 0 further assure opaqueness of the remainder of the lens there is provided an opaque washer disposed between the back surface of the lens 42 and the respective illuminable means 47 and 48, the relative disposition of these parts being clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, While the particular shape and construction of the washer 7 0 are clearly illustrated in the perspective view thereof forming a part of Fig. 4.

In order to secure in place the lengs 42 and the washer 70 including the housing 41 there is provided a bezel 75, formed to define the shape as shown to lend an aesthetic appearance to the device, and provided with integral prongs 76, 77 and 78 adapted to be received respectively into the apertures 79, 3t} and 81 and the end portions thereof being bent over as shown in Fig. 3 to hold secure the relative disposition of these parts. Access to these bent over portions may be accomplished by removal of the back-panel 51 from its normal position with respect to the housing 41 and as shown. in Fig. 3.

It is contemplated that the visual illuminated means 40 may be employed in electric ranges wherein there are provided high and, low heats with respect to individual circuits as at 35 and 36 of a heating element as at 31 In order to visually indicate a low setting of a circuit as at 36 the diagrammatic facsimile 44 of the lens 42 will be illuminated by virtue of the illuminable means 48 but of a more or less subdued brightness. If this same circuit is set for the high heat setting, then the diagrammatic facsimile 44 will become brightly illuminated. In the same manner, the high and low settings of the circuit 35 of the heating element 30 is indicated by a different brightness of the diagrammatic facsimile 43 of the lens 42.

it is notabie that the visual illuminated means 40 with which the present invention is particularly concerned can advantageously be made of readily available materials and. is primarily adapted to mass production manufactun ing principles. Moreover, the simplicity of structure tends toward a fool-proof operation thereof requiring very iittle attention or repair.

From the foregoing disclosure it may be observed that i have provided an improved visual illuminated means for indicating energization of one or the other or both the two circuits of a heating element of an electric re and. which efficiently fulfills the objects thereof as inbefore stated, and which provides numerous advantages which may be summarized as follows:

i. Structurally simple, efiicient and durable;

2. Economical to manufacture and readily adaptable to mass production manufacturing principles; and

3. The provision of an electric range comprising an elect c circuit, a two circuit heating element in said electric circuit, manually operable switch means in said electrical circuit for controlling energization of one or the other or both or" said circuits of said heating element, and ial i inated means controiled by said manual operable switch means for indicating energization of one or the other or both of said circuits of said heating element.

While i have illustrated preferred embodiments of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but Wish to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

in an electric range having a two-circuit heating element, a visual means for indicating which circuit is energized comprising a glass lens, said glass lens having raised portions formed on one side thereof, said raised portions being contoured to represent a diagrammatic facsimile of the two-circuit heating eiement, an opaque washer having cut-out portions formed therein, said cutout portions having a configuration corresponding to the contour of said raised portions so that the washer is engageable with marginal regions of the lens immediately surrounding the raised portions, a bezel for retaining said lens and said washer in intimate contact so that upon illiuninating the Washer side of the lens, the opposite side thereof will reveal a representation of the heating element and illuminating means associated with the lens including a pair of separate chambers each housing an individual light source, said illuminating means being operable selectively to reveal a representation of one or the other or both circuits of said two-circuit heating element.

References in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,450,399 Sheidler Sept. 28, 1948 2,463,712 Nowell Mar. 8, 1949 2,585,503 Schulze Feb. 12, 1952 2,607,873 Sheidlcr Aug. 19, 1952 2,607,874 Sheidler Aug. 19, 1952 2,607,875 Sheidler Aug. 19, 1952 2,609,475 Sandin et a1. Sept. 2, 1952 2,609,476 Ackemann Sept. 2, 1952 2,641,678 Hardy June 9, 1953 

